A cave in a steep cliff is the setting for an extraordinary structure in Tohaku District: Mitokusan Sanbutsuji Temple. Here, a striking location and a distinctive architectural cultural treasure come together.
Mitokusan Sanbutsuji: Temple on the Mountain
The mountain temple is located on 900-meter-high Mount Mitoku and was built at the entrance to a cave in a steep cliff. It is considered a unique national architectural cultural treasure. Architecture enthusiasts will encounter a building whose position on the cliff is itself part of the experience.
To see it up close, visitors must walk along a somewhat rugged mountain path. Another option is Nageiredo Yohaisho: from there, the temple can also be viewed from a vehicle, without walking along the mountain path all the way to the temple. A close-up view and a view from the Yohaisho are thus two different ways to visit. The temple is a 40-minute ride from Kurayoshi Station by highway bus. Check departure times before setting out.
Conan Street and Its Details
Conan Street offers a very different experience. It runs for about 1.4 kilometers from Conan Station, JR Yura Station, to the Gosho Aoyama Manga Factory. These two endpoints provide clear orientation along this named route. On Conan Bridge on Conan Street are six Conan objects and six different types of relief. The two numbers refer to different details: the objects and the types of relief.
A Specialty from Yurihama
In Yurihama, large shijimi clams from Lake Tōgo are a local specialty. They are called “black diamonds” because of their appearance and sheen. This gives the local cuisine a distinctive touch alongside the architectural and cultural discoveries.
More Perspectives in Tottori Prefecture
Daisen-Oki National Park spans Tottori, Shimane, and Okayama prefectures. It is divided into four areas: Daisen and Hiruzen, the Oki Islands, the Shimane Peninsula, and Mount Sanbe. This division illustrates the national park’s broad geographical reach across several prefectures.
For a glimpse into history in Tottori Prefecture, visit the former site of Daisenji. Buildings dating from before the early modern period have been preserved there. Stone walls, earthen embankments, and the paths connecting them are also well preserved at the abandoned sites of subsidiary temples. The history is evident both in the surviving buildings and in the traces of the former grounds.
For hiking enthusiasts, Daisen has a seasonal option: the summer hiking trail is designed as the main route for beginners. It is recommended for people climbing Daisen for the first time, as well as for children and inexperienced hikers. This recommendation applies to the summer trail on Daisen.
At the Tottori Sand Dunes in Tottori Prefecture, even small children can take souvenir photos with camels; the animals are considered docile and child-friendly. Sandboarding means gliding down a sandy slope on a special board, and is considered a new recreational activity in Tottori Sand Dunes National Park. The bus ride from the bus stop at Tottori Station to the dunes takes about 20 minutes; get off at the Tottori Sand Dunes or Sakyu Kaikan stop.
The Nijisseiki pear is another local specialty of Tottori Prefecture. You can pick them from late August to late September. In Kurayoshi, the Tottori Nijisseiki Pear Museum showcases the nashi pear; it is the only museum in Japan dedicated to this fruit. The pear is thus featured in two different contexts: as a seasonal picking activity and as the subject of a museum.
Discover more destinations: Yurihama, Saihaku District, Tohaku District
For the broader travel overview: Tottori Prefecture.
